This article is part of our The Armband series.
I told you not to get smart with your captain for Gameweek 1 and Romelu Lukaku went on to score a brace against the Hammers. If you captained Harry Kane instead, you'll need a major rebound for the second weekend.
Hitting on your captain or not, it was still a fun opening weekend for Premier League fans with an abundance of goals. Seven teams found the back of the net at least three times, with expected bottom-of-the-table sides Burnley and Huddersfield getting a full three points on the road. As Chelsea fell, the two Manchester clubs showed their muscle in convincing wins, with the same being said of Spurs. Arsenal did as Arsenal does, though they still came away with three points from the Emirates.
The hope is that every week is as exciting, but it'll be hard to keep up. Gameweek 2 provides some higher-class matchups with Spurs hosting Chelsea and Man City against Everton, while Liverpool versus Crystal Palace may be the match to back for fantasy purposes.
Given how Chelsea just played, Tottenham's trio can be considered for the armband again between Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Harry Kane. Some are dropping Kane after his first performance, but he's not going away anytime soon. Eriksen and Alli may be safer, but Kane has the higher upside. That said, I'm all about safety at captain and Eriksen is around the ball the most for Spurs.
Man City are in a tricky spot as well against the Toffees. Sure, City could come out and score three goals in their home opener, but Everton had their number a year ago, drawing this match 1-1 early in the campaign and winning 4-0 at Goodison Park. Sergio Aguero is the guy to captain, though I'll be watching from afar.
Liverpool's draw against Palace should provide more dividends, whether that's Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino. Salah had an excellent league debut for the Reds and I'd rather back him or Mane in the midfield. Palace lost their first match 3-0 at home against Huddersfield, and this one could be more of the same if the Reds get out to an early lead. Then again, Palace were slightly better as an away team last season, so this isn't a free win for Liverpool by means.
Man United had a great opener and should receive more recognition for the armband with a trip to Swansea. Lukaku will surely be a favorite for many again, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan could find his way as captain for some squads. Swansea were a favorite to drop from the league in preseason predictions, but they managed a solid match at Southampton. Getting a point from the Red Devils would be just as good for a side that no longer employs Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Some players who may not draw the eye of fantasy bosses are Jamie Vardy and Joshua King. Vardy was great in the opening match with a brace, but I'm not willing to bet that many consider him captain material just yet. Brighton weren't terrible in their first match, but the Foxes were attack-heavy against the Gunners and that should equal a couple more goals in this one. I'd take Vardy as a differential slightly over King, who should help Bournemouth find the score sheet for the first time this season at home against Watford. The Hornets had one of the worst defenses last year, and after allowing three in the opener, that looks to be the case again.
The true differential could end up being Steve Mounie after his away brace to start the season. Huddersfield are home against Newcastle on Sunday. Lukaku is on more than half of the rosters at the official FPL game right now, but this is a good spot to go with a differential because the Red Devils are on the road.
